Bobby Darin – Splish Splash

Recorded on May 2nd, 1959 at Dick Clark’s Beech-Nut Show

It was written with DJ Murray the K (Murray Kaufman), who bet that Darin could not write a song that began with the words, “Splish splash, I was takin’ a bath”, as suggested by Murray’s mother, Jean Kaufman. The song was credited to Darin and “Jean Murray” (a combination of their names) to avoid any hint of payola.

Splish Splash was recorded in a session at New York’s Atlantic Studios on the evening of April 10, 1958. The personnel on the original recording included Jesse Powell on tenor sax,Al Caiola, Billy Mure on guitar, Wendell Marshall on bass, and Panama Francis on drums.

The lyrics mention several characters from other songs of the period, including “Lollipop”, “Peggy Sue”, and “Good Golly Miss Molly.

The “Movin’ and a groovin'” lyric was lifted from a 1958 Duane Eddy song called “Moovin’ ‘N’ Groovin’.” Eddy claimed that Darin asked permission to use it, which he happily granted. “That’s just music, sharing little bits of melody and all,” said Eddy.

This was Bobby Darin’s first hit. He had signed with Atlantic Records after an unsuccessful stint at Decca. After three unsuccessful sessions at Atlantic with Herb Abramson producing, Ahmet Ertegun, who was head of the label, decided to produce Darin himself.

“Splish Splash” – Single by Bobby Darin from the album Bobby Darin
Released May 19, 1958
Recorded April 10, 1958
Songwriters Bobby Darin, Murray Kaufman
Producers Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson
Charted No,3 US, No.3 Canada; No.18 UK